(Noun) Nickname given to the University of California at Berkeley in the San Francisco bay area.

Title is a play on the official name of The People's Republic Of China, and is bestowed on Berkeley due to its students reputation for fanatical (bordering on Communist) political leanings. E.G Pro-choice,Antiwar, anti-meat,fanatical gay pride etc...

Dave:'I was up at the 'People's Republic Of Berkeley' the
other day for a potluck dinner.'
Jim: 'Food any good?'
Dave: 'Terrible. These people did to vegetables what Hitler did to Poland. And then they start ragging on me about the rubber on my shoes.'
Jim:'What?'
Dave: 'Apparently they consider chopping rubber trees murder.'

(noun) nickname for the city of Berkeley, California, known not only for its well-known public University with a tradition of free speech, but for its reputation as a liberal/progressive community and a tradition (dating back to the Vietnam War) of the city government taking positions and passing resolutions on foreign policy issues (despite it having no influence or authority in this arena).

A: Why is the City Council debating the use of Predator drones in Pakistan? Aren't there potholes that need filling and budgets to balance?
B: Welcome to the People's Republic of Berkeley.